Every time I really think about her being gone it is like someone is ripping out a part of me, or like I am getting kicked in the stomach. I have never had to go through a grieving process like this. Even though you absolutely know that your grandparents and parents should pass before you do, it still doesn’t prepare you for the loss of people who have been there your entire life and helped raise you and shape to into the person you became. My grandpa died when I was too young to really understand or really know him whereas my grandma was a huge part of my entire life, and I have a lot of wonderful memories with her. She was 90 years old, and went peacefully in her sleep. You really can’t ask for more than that.

Just to clarify, I am not graduating this semester. I still have one more year to go. Plus after that I have to get my teaching credentials. Then after that I have to wait 5-6 years for my boyfriend to get his PhD before we decide where we are actually going to settle down or whatever you are supposed to do at that point. lol.

I do worry about Nova, mostly because I feel like I am severely underestimating her age and she could be much older than I think she is… But again, she seems healthy enough, and certainly happy.

The new fish thinks his new place is huge! He is super happy already, building a bubble nest (edit: OMG, I can HEAR him making it!). Though some argue that they do that no matter what (which I have to agree with because he used to build them in his 0.5 gallon torture chamber!). Still, with the toasty 78-80 degrees his tank is warmed to he is much more active than he was before. I know the heat alone transforms these fish from “lazy” (which everyone seems to think they are, and you would be too if you were freezing!) into active, personable little aquatic friends! No matter how “boring” I find his color.